A superb acrobatic effort from Ayoub El Kaabi sealed a routine victory for hosts Morocco in the opening match of the 2025/26 Africa Cup of Nations.
Morocco dominated from the opening stages in Rabat, enjoying plenty of possession but struggling to break down a resolute Comoros defence, with visiting goalkeeper Yannick Pandor saving an early Rahimi penalty.
Frustration began creeping in among the home fans as the first half ended goalless but they were soon encouraged after the break, with a renewed intensity from the hosts bringing the opening goal as Brahim Diaz fired in from Noussair Mazraoui’s cutback.
The Atlas Lions were able to totally dominate the game from there – with Rafiki Said providing the only Comoros chance as he forced a good save from Bounou – before El Kaaba’s stunning overhead scissor-kick effort sealed the three points on 74 minutes, giving the hosts the ideal start to a tournament many expect them to win next month.
Relive the updates from the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium below:
Morocco vs Comoros live
- Morocco beat Comoros 2-0 in the opening match of Afcon
- 74' GOAL! Stunning El Kaabi effort gives hosts second [MAR 2-0 COM]
- 55' GOAL! Diaz opens scoring in second half [MAR 1-0 COM]
- 12' SAVED! Pandor saves early Morocco penalty [MAR 0-0 COM]
Africa Cup of Nations moved to every four years
Sunday 21 December 2025 22:00 , Chris WilsonThe Africa Cup of Nations will be held every four years instead of two from 2028, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced.
The tournament has traditionally been held biennially since its inception in 1957. The surprise announcement was made on the eve of the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off in Morocco on Sunday.
It follows a meeting of the CAF executive committee in Rabat, with president Patrice Motsepe announcing the major change in a press conference in Rabat.
Why is the Africa Cup of Nations taking place over Christmas?
Sunday 21 December 2025 21:50 , Chris WilsonThe Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Morocco on Sunday 21 December, with the final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat to be played on Sunday 18 January - far earlier than when held at this time of the calendar than in previous years.
The 35th edition of the biennial tournament was initially set to be played in July and August 2025, in order to reduce disruption with the European football season.
But the timing of the Africa Cup of Nations is, once again, a talking point - which is unfair to the tournament itself as it becomes squeezed by club football’s endless expansion.
Why is the Africa Cup of Nations taking place over Christmas?
Watch: El Kaabi stunner seals win
Sunday 21 December 2025 21:40 , Chris WilsonHere’s the replay of that stunning El Kaabi effort! A goal of the tournament contender already.
أيـــوب الـــكـــعـــبـــي يسجّل هدفًا خياليًا من ضربة مقصية 🤩
— Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) December 21, 2025
Ayoub El Kaabi scores a spectacular bicycle kick goal!✂️🤯#DimaMaghrib 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/KAGlpWvRXY
Afcon fixtures
Sunday 21 December 2025 21:30 , Chris WilsonHere’s a full list of the fixtures in Afcon ahead of Christmas, with a brief break before action resumes on Boxing Day.
Monday, December 22, 2025
Mali v Zambia | 2:00 PM | Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca, Morocco
South Africa v Angola | 5:00 PM | Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech, Morocco
Egypt v Zimbabwe | 8:00 PM | Le Grand Stade Agadir, Agadir, Morocco
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Congo DR v Benin | 12:30 PM | Stade El Barid, Rabat, Morocco
Senegal v Botswana | 3:00 PM | Stade Ibn-Batouta, Tanger, Morocco
Nigeria v Tanzania | 5:30 PM | Complexe Sportif de Fès, Fès, Morocco
Tunisia v Uganda | 8:00 PM | Stade Olympique de Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Burkina Faso v Equatorial Guinea | 12:30 PM | Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca, Morocco
Algeria v Sudan | 3:00 PM | Stade Prince Moulay Al Hassan, Rabat, Morocco
Ivory Coast v Mozambique | 5:30 PM | Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech, Morocco
Cameroon v Gabon | 8:00 PM | Le Grand Stade Agadir, Agadir, Morocco
FULL-TIME! Morocco 2-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 21:20 , Chris Wilson
Next up
Sunday 21 December 2025 21:15 , Chris WilsonMorocco’s next match comes on Boxing Day, with the Atlas Lions facing Mali at 8pm UK time in Rabat.
Comoros will face Zambia on the same day, with that one kicking off at 5.30pm GMT in Casablanca.
FULL-TIME! Morocco 2-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 21:04 , Chris WilsonThe referee blows the final whistle and it’s a deserved win for Morocco in the opening game of Afcon 2025.
The hosts dominated and a stunning acrobatic goal from El Kaabi sealed the three points in Rabat.
There’ll be tougher tests but it’s a solid start to the tournament in Rabat.
Morocco 2-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 21:03 , Chris Wilson90 +2 mins
Into four minutes of added time here and the match is slowly xreeping towards the final whistle. All the intensity has gone as both teams await the result.
Morocco 2-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 21:00 , Chris Wilson90 mins
Having said that, the visitors do have half a chance as they put the ball into the box from a free-kick, but Soilihi heads wide at the far post.
Morocco 2-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 20:59 , Chris Wilson89 mins
Unsurprisingly, Comoros have faded as we approach 90 minutes, with the hosts having most of the ball and all of the chances.
Morocco 2-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 20:56 , Chris Wilson86 mins
Morocco continue to threaten as we enter the final few minutes. A couple of players clearly want to play themselves into the manager’s thinking for the next match here.
Morocco 2-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 20:52 , Chris Wilson82 mins
If anything it looks like the hosts are more likely to score again, with En-Nesyri seeing a long-range effort parried away by Pandor.
Morocco 2-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 20:50 , Chris Wilson79 mins
Two subs for Comoros now too as M’Dahoma and Bourhane come on for Youssouf and Toibibou.
That second goal certainly looks to have knocked the stuffing out of the visitors.
Morocco 2-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 20:48 , Chris Wilson77 mins
And now some subs for the hosts as Youssef En-Nesyri and Bilal El Khannouss come on for Diaz and Saibari.
GOAL! Morocco 2-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 20:46 , Chris Wilson74 mins
GOAL! Oh my word, what a goal this is! A goal-of-the-tournament contender in the first game!
Ayoub El Kaabi might have wrapped up the game and what a way to do it, with the substitute producing a superb acrobatic overhead scissor-kick to fund the bottom corner after a teasing ball in from Salah-Eddine.
Morocco 1-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 20:41 , Chris Wilson71 mins
Can Comoros get back into this then? They certainly have time, but they haven’t looked like equalising.
Said gets free in the box but he’s tackled by Aguerd, who produces a brillaint last-ditch challenge in the box, but the Comoros attacker was offside anyway.
Morocco 1-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 20:38 , Chris Wilson67 mins
Subs for both sides.
Morocco have brought on El Kaabi and Ezzalzouli for Rahimi and Ounahi, while the visitors have replaced Kari and Youssouf with Abdallah and Bakari.
Morocco 1-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 20:36 , Chris Wilson64 mins
SAVE! A great double save from Pandor keeps his side in it.
The ‘keeper makes a fairly routine save from a tame effort from Mazraoui but he’s up quickly to prevent Jawad El Yamiq from converting the rebound.
Morocco 1-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 20:31 , Chris Wilson61 mins
CHANCE! Half a chance for the visitors as a free-kick from the right causes pinball in the area before Ounahi sees a shot blocked in the area.
Morocco 1-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 20:29 , Chris Wilson59 mins
CLOSE! Will Comoros get a better chance than this?
Rafiki Said wins the ball deep into the Morocco half and he’s suddenly 1-v-1 with the defender, with M'Changama outside him.
He opts to cut back outside and try and squeeze the shot in at the near post, but it’s a smart save from Bounou to deny him.
Morocco 1-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 20:28 , Chris Wilson58 mins
That goal had certainly been coming and Morocco are already putting plenty of pressure on as they look for a second.
The hosts are pressing very high looking to win the ball back, with a couple of ventures into the box already since scoring.
GOAL! Morocco 1-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 20:26 , Chris Wilson55 mins
GOAL! That’s the opener!
Mazraoui does very well to bring down Amrabat’s ball in the area before cutting it back to Diaz, who is in acres of space to tap in and open the scoring!
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 20:21 , Chris Wilson51 mins
Plenty more possession from Morocco, and slightly more threat than in the first half. The hosts have certainly stepped up the intensity here.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 20:18 , Chris Wilson48 mins
CHANCE! First chance of the half falls to Morocco, with the cross from the left almost turned goalwards by El Aynaoui.
KICK-OFF! Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 20:14 , Chris WilsonBack underway in Rabat! Can the hosts find some goals in the capital?
HALF-TIME! Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 20:09 , Chris WilsonWe should be in for an interesting second half here, with Morocco obliged to take the game to Comoros once more as they hunt the opening win their fans clearly crave.
A win could certainly lay down a marker for the hosts, though a draw would be a fairly poor result for the tournament opener.
We’ll see how they fare in the second half soon.
HALF-TIME! Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 20:03 , Chris Wilson
HALF-TIME! Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:57 , Chris Wilson45 +6 mins
Another dangerous free-kick late on for Morocco here, in a great area on the right wing.
Saibari curls it in but it doesn’t clear the near post, and the referee blows the whistle for half-time!
Not a great game for the neutrals in Rabat, with home fans growing frustrated as their side toiled in attack.
Plenty of possession for the Atlas Lions but they haven’t been able to find that final bit of quality yet.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:52 , Chris Wilson45 +3 mins
CLOSE! Almost a mix-up for the visitors as Soilihi scuffs a clearance and it runs into the path of Diaz. However, Pandor saves his teammate as he’s quick off his line to clear, and the Madrid man is booked for a sliding challenge that catches the ‘keeper late.
Pandor is down receiving treatment.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:49 , Chris Wilson45 +1 mins
Into the first of six added minutes at the end of the half. For all their domination, Morocco still have nothing to show for it. Can they change that before the break?
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:48 , Chris Wilson44 mins
Right, common sense has prevailed and the referee has given a handball against Diaz. We resume with a minute left plus added time.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:47 , Chris Wilson43 mins
Wait a minute...there’s a VAR review for a penalty as Diaz went down under that challenge.
There was a handball there and it didn’t even look like the challenge made any contact, so not sure what they think they might have seen here.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:45 , Chris Wilson41 mins
A bit of frustration creeping in among the home fans as Diaz handballs it in the Comoros area before appealing for a soft penalty. Nothing doing.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:44 , Chris Wilson39 mins
Another wasted chance as the free-kick goes high and wide. The hosts continue to dominate but they’ve had very little real quality in attack so far.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:40 , Chris Wilson35 mins
First booking of the day goes to Kari as he concedes a free-kick near the edge of the Comoros box.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:38 , Chris Wilson32 mins
A small break for an injury treatment before Comoros almost have a great chance, with Said narrowly missing getting the ball under control.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:32 , Chris Wilson28 mins
Salah-Eddine wins a free-kick on the left, right on the edge of the box, and it’ll be a good chance for the hosts to deliver a dangerous ball in.
It’s straight into the wall though and out for a corner.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:30 , Chris Wilson26 mins
Comoros are struggling to get out of their half at the moment but they’re not under serious pressure in defence, though a superb delivery from Salah-Eddine allows a good chance that Rahimi can’t glance on target.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:26 , Chris Wilson23 mins
Comoros are getting so many bodies behind the ball when Morocco do threaten, and it might take a moment of real quality to unlock the visiting defence.
Maxraoui tries to provide it but his cross in is deflected away from a teammate.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:24 , Chris Wilson20 mins
Plenty of boos and jeers around the stadium whenever Comoros have the ball, but the visitors have been unable to create very little at all in attack.
They do have an opening as Said gets in behind the defence and wins the ball off Bounou, but the offside flag goes up once the chance goes begging.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:22 , Chris Wilson18 mins
A lovely cross from the left but Saibari slightly mis-times his jump.
Elsewhere, Saiss is down again and that’ll be the end of his night. The 35-year-old is distraught as he trudges off to be replaced by Jawad El Yamiq.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:18 , Chris Wilson15 mins
A break in play now as Saiss receives treatment, and he looks in pain but is back on his feet.
He’ll be fine to carry on for now.
PENALTY SAVED! Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:15 , Chris Wilson12 mins
It’s saved! Rahimi steps up but he sees his effort saved by Pandor, who dives to his right to parry it away.
PENALTY! Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:13 , Chris Wilson10 mins
PENALTY! The hosts are given a penalty as Brahim Diaz is clipped and dragged down in the box!
Soft, but not enough to overturn it you’d imagine...
It’s given!
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:11 , Chris Wilson7 mins
Plenty of patient build-up from the hosts here, and they’re already looking dominant as Mazraoui sees a through ball cut out in the box before Brahim Diaz is unable to control a pass in the area.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:08 , Chris Wilson4 mins
Fairly clear early on that Comoros will look to launch it long on the counter any chance they get, with M'Changama unable to latch onto the latest attempt.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:06 , Chris Wilson2 mins
Plenty of cheers around the stadium as the hosts knock the ball around in their half. Comoros already look to have settled into a low block of sorts.
KICK-OFF! Morocco 0-0 Comoros
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:03 , Chris WilsonWe’re underway in Rabat! The first match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in the Moroccan capital.
Morocco vs Comoros live
Sunday 21 December 2025 18:57 , Chris WilsonBoth sides are on the pitch in Rabat, so we’ll be underway soon in the Moroccan capital.
Morocco vs Comoros live
Sunday 21 December 2025 18:54 , Chris Wilson
Why is the Africa Cup of Nations taking place over Christmas?
Sunday 21 December 2025 18:47 , Chris WilsonThe 35th edition of the biennial tournament was initially set to be played in July and August 2025, in order to reduce disruption with the European football season.
But the timing of the Africa Cup of Nations is, once again, a talking point - which is unfair to the tournament itself as it becomes squeezed by club football’s endless expansion.
The Africa Cup of Nations was moved to begin in December in order to make room for the expanded Club World Cup, which featured 32 teams for the first time and took place in the United States between June and July earlier this year.
Why is the Africa Cup of Nations taking place over Christmas?
Morocco vs Comoros line-ups
Sunday 21 December 2025 18:36 , Mike JonesMorocco XI: Bono; Salah-Eddine, Aguerd, Saiss, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Diaz; El Aynaoui, Rahimi, Saibari.
Comoros XI: Pandor; Kari, Soilhi, Toibibou, Boura; Z. Youssouf, B. Youssouf, Mohamed, Selemani; Ahamada, Said El Aynaoui, Rahimi, Saibari.
Africa Cup of Nations moved to every four years
Sunday 21 December 2025 18:35 , Chris WilsonThe Africa Cup of Nations will be held every four years instead of two from 2028, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced.
The tournament has traditionally been held biennially since its inception in 1957. The surprise announcement was made on the eve of the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off in Morocco on Sunday.
It follows a meeting of the CAF executive committee in Rabat, with president Patrice Motsepe announcing the major change in a press conference in Rabat.
How Morocco plans to use hosting Afcon as springboard to become a global football powerhouse
Sunday 21 December 2025 18:27 , Chris WilsonMorocco is poised to host the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) from Sunday, an event seen as a crucial stepping stone in its ambitious journey to become a global football powerhouse and a significant dress rehearsal for its co-hosting duties at the 2030 World Cup.
The North African nation, which famously reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, will welcome 24 teams from across the continent, utilising nine new or renovated stadiums in six cities.
This marks only the second time Morocco has staged the biennial tournament, yet it arrives amidst a period of intensified football engagement.
How Morocco plans to use hosting Afcon as springboard to become a football powerhouse
Afcon key dates
Sunday 21 December 2025 18:20 , Chris WilsonThe group stages run from Sunday 21 December to Wednesday 31 December. The knockout stages begin on Saturday 3 January. The final will be played on Sunday 18 January at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Afcon early fixture schedule
Sunday 21 December 2025 17:55 , Chris WilsonHere’s the early fixture schedule for the tournament, with the following games taking place before a one-day break over Christmas.
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Morocco v Comoros | 7:00 PM | Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, Rabat, Morocco
Monday, December 22, 2025
Mali v Zambia | 2:00 PM | Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca, Morocco
South Africa v Angola | 5:00 PM | Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech, Morocco
Egypt v Zimbabwe | 8:00 PM | Le Grand Stade Agadir, Agadir, Morocco
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Congo DR v Benin | 12:30 PM | Stade El Barid, Rabat, Morocco
Senegal v Botswana | 3:00 PM | Stade Ibn-Batouta, Tanger, Morocco
Nigeria v Tanzania | 5:30 PM | Complexe Sportif de Fès, Fès, Morocco
Tunisia v Uganda | 8:00 PM | Stade Olympique de Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Burkina Faso v Equatorial Guinea | 12:30 PM | Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca, Morocco
Algeria v Sudan | 3:00 PM | Stade Prince Moulay Al Hassan, Rabat, Morocco
Ivory Coast v Mozambique | 5:30 PM | Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech, Morocco
Cameroon v Gabon | 8:00 PM | Le Grand Stade Agadir, Agadir, Morocco
Afcon 2025 groups
Sunday 21 December 2025 17:45 , Chris WilsonGroup A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
Afcon 2025: How to watch every match for free on TV and online
Sunday 21 December 2025 17:35 , Chris WilsonThe Africa Cup of Nations is back and every game will be available to watch in the United Kingdom across Channel 4.
The broadcaster has secured exclusive rights to the 24-team tournament and will show every game - with the Boxing Day fixture between Mohamed Salah’s Egypt and South Africa live on Channel 4’s main channel. The remainder of the group-stage games will be available to watch on E4 or 4Seven, or online on Channel 4’s streaming service.
Hosts Morocco, who are also the tournament favourites, kick off the Africa Cup of Nations against Comoros on Sunday, with Senegal, Nigeria, Algeria, Ivory Coast and Cameroon all in action over the coming days. Ivory Coast are the defending champions, having beaten Nigeria in the final two years ago to win the tournament on home soil.
Africa Cup of Nations 2025: Everything you need to know, from the team in crisis to the best games to watch
Sunday 21 December 2025 17:10 , Chris WilsonThe Independent’s Jamie Braidwood has put together a guide to this year’s Afcon, with everything you need to know from key fixtures and groups to pre-tournament controversy.
The six must-watch games at AFCON 2025 - and the one team in crisis
Team news
Sunday 21 December 2025 17:06 , Chris WilsonMorocco captain Achraf Hakimi could miss the opening match as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury, while Hamza Igmane and Sofyan Amrabat will also likely miss out.
Comoros boss Stefano Cusin has a full squad to pick from, with qualifying top-scorers Youssouf M’Changama and Rafiki Said expected to feature in attack and veteran striker El Fardou Ben Nabouhane potentially leading the line.
Morocco vs Comoros live
Sunday 21 December 2025 17:03 , Chris WilsonThe 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on Sunday when the hosts Morocco face Comoros in the tournament opener in Rabat.
Ivory Coast were the champions last time out, winning the Afcon on home soil after an extraordinary campaign where The Elephants fired their manager mid-tournament and went from the brink of crashing out of the group stages to lifting the trophy against Nigeria in the final.
Could history repeat itself two years on? Well, Morocco are the pre-tournament favourites. The Atlas Lions became the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup three years ago. If the extraordinary support they received in Qatar is anything to go by, then Morocco will have a huge home advantage - although that could lend itself to the suffocating pressure of expectations as they aim to win their first Afcon title since 1976.
Good evening
Sunday 21 December 2025 16:58 , Chris WilsonHello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of tonight’s opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Hosts Morocco take on minnows Comoros in the first match of Afcon 2025, with Walid Regragui’s side hoping to make a quick start as they hunt just a second ever Afcon title.
Comoros, the third-smallest nation in Africa, are making just their second Afcon appearance, having reached the knockout round at the first time of asking in 2021.
